UPDATE: World Health Organisation demands access to Syria 'chemical attack site'
Wed Apr 11, 2018 10:45:am World
3.3K By franklyn Anude
The World Health Organization has on Wednesday demanded an 'immediate and unhindered access' to Douma, site of an alleged chemical attack by the Syrian government, to carry out its own investigation on reports from its partners that 500 people were affected by the chemical attack.
"We should all be outraged at these horrific reports and images from Douma" where Saturday's attack took place, said Peter Salama, the UN agency's chief of emergency response.
"WHO demands immediate unhindered access to the area to provide care to those affected, to assess the health impacts, and to deliver a comprehensive public health response," he added.
Citing reports from local health organizations, WHO said "an estimated 500 patients presented to health facilities exhibiting signs and symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic chemicals". It also cited reports which says 70 people have been killed.
"There were signs of severe irritation of mucous membranes, respiratory failure and disruption to central nervous systems of those exposed," the statement added.
"Two health facilities were also reportedly affected by these attacks," the WHO statement continued.
Syrian government under Bashar al-Assad's has denied the allegations but the US, France and Britain have said the incident bears the hallmarks of a strike ordered by al-Assad's regime.
Russia, an ally of al-Assad's government had said that there was no chemical attack carried out in the country, calling it a "pretext" by western countries to attack its ally.
"We should all be outraged at these horrific reports and images from Douma" where Saturday's attack took place, said Peter Salama, the UN agency's chief of emergency response.
"WHO demands immediate unhindered access to the area to provide care to those affected, to assess the health impacts, and to deliver a comprehensive public health response," he added.
Citing reports from local health organizations, WHO said "an estimated 500 patients presented to health facilities exhibiting signs and symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic chemicals". It also cited reports which says 70 people have been killed.
"There were signs of severe irritation of mucous membranes, respiratory failure and disruption to central nervous systems of those exposed," the statement added.
"Two health facilities were also reportedly affected by these attacks," the WHO statement continued.
Syrian government under Bashar al-Assad's has denied the allegations but the US, France and Britain have said the incident bears the hallmarks of a strike ordered by al-Assad's regime.
Russia, an ally of al-Assad's government had said that there was no chemical attack carried out in the country, calling it a "pretext" by western countries to attack its ally.
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